129: Dave Gardner, part 2: “Came to relieve the burden, stayed for the joy”
David and I could have talked about growth and how many people think growth is sustainable and non-growth isn’t, which seems based on a system hurtling toward collapse, whereas a steady-state economy and population can be sustainable.
Instead we just talked about the fun of riding more and getting outside. He lives in Colorado with hills. What looked like a challenge before starting became part of the joy. The natural environment is like that. I see it over and over with guests.
We talk about how one joyful thing leads to another when you shift from making excuses to avoid acting to acting. David’s stronger than before, finding things about his neighborhood and himself.
One of my life’s great experiences was riding my bike from Philadelphia to Maine and back the summer between high school and college, with tents on our bikes at 16 years old.
After listening to David, I recommend listening to some of these episodes:
- Dov Baron found something similar in his conversation, considering getting rid of his Jaguar.
- Danny Bauer found similar results after getting rid of his car as his commitment.
- I haven’t heard back from Jethro Jones about riding his bike through the winter in Alaska, but he chose to do it.
- Michael O’Heaney found similar results riding his bike with his daughter in Golden Gate Park
- After talking to John Lee Dumas I went from talking about plogging to starting plogging
You can debate pros and cons of bikes. You can’t debate they’re having more fun, getting in better shape, enjoying life more.
It’s about fun. The opposite of feeling guilty. Everybody loves nature, it seems. Especially if you have kids.
Read the transcript.